Three San Antonio Report staff members were recognized by two separate organizations for work they did last year.
Staff photographer Nick Wagner won first place in the Sports Photography category in the Texas Association of Managing Editors competition Saturday. Wagner’s photograph in the 4A, or large circulation, category topped entries from the state’s biggest newspapers and nonprofit news organizations, which were included in the competition for the first time. The award is also a first in the competition for the San Antonio Report.
“Wagner’s award is just confirmation of what many of us have always known about Nick and his work,” said San Antonio Report Photo Editor Scott Ball. “His attention to detail, news judgment and technical ability elevates our site every day.”
A judge’s comment on Wagner’s photograph of action at an NCAA women’s basketball game said: “It’s a very unique angle and use of reflection in a sports photo that I haven’t seen a lot of before, and still capturing interesting action!”
“We couldn’t be prouder of Nick,” said Leigh Munsil, the San Antonio Report’s editor in chief. “Every day, he goes out of his way to tell San Antonians’ stories through images: whether it’s doing the work to gain a subject’s trust, flying a drone over wildfire damage or in the case of his award-winning shot, looking for a new angle to capture a moment that could otherwise be routine.”
Raquel Torres, who joined the San Antonio Report as a breaking news reporter in February, was recognized for her work with the Tyler Morning Telegraph. Her story, “Tyler father collaborates with Tony Hawk,” earned her the second place award in the 3A Star Online Package of the Year category.
“Raquel joined us in February of this year and has already been a critical member of our newsroom, helping create a breaking news beat that allows us to be more agile in what we can cover day-to-day,” Munsil said. “We were so glad to see her hard work last year at the Tyler Telegraph was honored by the Texas AME, and we can’t wait to see what she does next!”
For a complete list of Texas Association of Managing Editors winners, click here.
Education reporter Brooke Crum received a Texas State Teachers Association School Bell Award on Friday for excellence in coverage of public education in 2021. Crum was honored for her story on a local school district’s examination of books in its libraries that was urged by a state Republican lawmaker: “Students, parents call North East ISD book review ‘political’ act.”
“Brooke is a dedicated, tireless reporter and she couldn’t be more deserving of this honor,” Munsil said. “In a moment where our local schools have been testing grounds for just about every political battle brewing across the state, Brooke has balanced the voices of parents, teachers and administrators, while always bringing the reader back to who matters most: the students.”
